IMD issues heavy rain alert for Arunachal; Papum Pare likely to receive very heavy rainfall

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning across several districts of Arunachal Pradesh from Sunday, August 2, urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert.

According to the Meteorological Centre in Itanagar, Papum Pare district is likely to receive very heavy rainfall of 12-20 cm at isolated places over a 24-hour period. Heavy rainfall of 6-11 cm has also been forecast for isolated areas in West Kameng, Lepa Rada, East Siang and Lohit districts.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Papum Pare, Lower Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit, Anjaw and a few adjoining districts, warning of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and heavy rain. No weather warning has been issued for most other districts.

The weather office said conditions are expected to gradually improve from Monday, although Anjaw and parts of Papum Pare, Lower Siang and Lepa Rada are likely to continue experiencing thunderstorms and rain.

By Tuesday, adverse weather is expected to ease further, with yellow alerts remaining only for a few districts, including Anjaw, Lower Siang, Papum Pare, Lepa Rada and West Kameng. Most parts of the state are likely to witness relatively stable weather.

The IMD said weather conditions are expected to improve further on Wednesday, with only isolated districts in western and eastern Arunachal remaining under watch for rain and thunderstorms. By Thursday, yellow alerts are expected to remain in effect only for Anjaw, Changlang, Lohit, Lower Dibang Valley, Lower Siang and Papum Pare.

The weather department has advised people living in landslide- and flood-prone areas to exercise caution, warning that heavy rainfall could lead to localised waterlogging, reduced visibility, flash floods and disruptions to transport.

The latest forecast comes as Arunachal Pradesh continues to grapple with the impact of the monsoon. According to official figures, floods and landslides have claimed seven lives and affected 1,55,763 people across the state so far. The monsoon has impacted 665 villages in 28 districts, causing widespread damage to infrastructure, agriculture and public utilities.